Laid across free-draining downland, Effingham Golf Club is an undiscovered Harry Colt-designed course that occupies a generous 264-acre site from where there are panoramic views of the London skyline…
Overall rating
4.0
Laid across free-draining downland, Effingham Golf Club is an undiscovered Harry Colt-designed course that occupies a generous 264-acre site from where there are panoramic views of the London skyline…
You’ll find Effingham Golf Club located between Leatherhead and Guildford, in the heart of the North Downs. Laid across free-draining downland, this unsung Harry Colt-designed course occupies a generous 264-acre site from where there are panoramic views of the London skyline and the chalky escarpment of the Chiltern Hills.
Routed in two distinct nine-hole loops, the course measures a respectable 6,800 yards from the back (black tee) markers, but even the white tee yardage (6,597 yards) tested many top golfers when Open Championship Regional Qualifying was held at Effingham Golf Club from 2006 to 2010.
Effingham is a course fashioned in the spirit of the Golden Age, but the club is not resting on its laurels, having engaged the services of Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie and Ebert, to ensure this classic design is not only true to its Harry Colt roots, but also a modern day challenge. In 2013, a new 451-yard par four home hole was unveiled along with a redesigned green at the par four 5th.
Tom Mackenzie mentioned: “Effingham is another example of Harry Colt’s skills at laying out holes on hilly ground in a way that golfers find themselves at the top of the Downs without feeling like they have played an uphill hole. The downland turf also makes it a true 12-month of the year course.”
Fairway bunkers have been removed with additional bunkers constructed to affect the longer players. New bunkers have been created to heighten the challenge around the putting surfaces, with redesigned greens introduced at the par four 5th and newly extended 18th, which has been extended to 451 yards from the back tees.
Mature trees line many fairways and they are always dazzling in their glorious autumn colours, but they were not so abundant in Harry Colt’s day. However, rarely do these woody obstacles obstruct the line of play and the club has embarked on a bold woodland management programme to protect the integrity of the putting surfaces.
With many strong holes at Effingham it’s hard to single one out, but we like the tough one-shot 7th that’s ringed with bunkers. With out-of-bounds on the left and a tricky-to-find green, it’s a hole where a three marked on the card will be savoured. Don’t forget to enjoy the far-reaching views of the Chiltern Hills before leaving the tee.
There is so much to enjoy at Effingham with its excellent drainage, firm and fast surfaces, rolling topography and pleasant short walks between greens and tees. The elegant Georgian clubhouse also provides the warmest of welcomes.
With recent renovation work now completed, Effingham Golf Club has been selected by England Golf to host the Senior Men’s County Championship Finals in 2019.
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